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Chapter 61
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Cattenach Ranch Chapter 62
She gave him a baleful glance. "Yes, you don't need to ask."He swore, it was like someone showing her common courtesy was unheard of. "Dinner's done." At her look of confusion, he elaborated. "I grilled some chicken." She may have only bought his grocery items earlier, but he'd countered. This kitchen split she'd tried to instill was ending here.She didn't even deign to glance up from the screen. "I'm not very hungry, thanks."He bit back a weary sigh and tried to remember strangling her would solve squat. "I haven't seen you eat all day. I made enough for two. Please join me?"Lip chewing. Staring. Blinking. Finally, after the longest pause in the history of womankind, she climbed off the bed. "Sure. Lead on."Praise Hihcebe. Progress. He pointed to the photos. "Are those from today?" She nodded. "Can you bring them down so I can see?"And there she went with the stunned stupid expression again. "Okay." She gathered the pictures and preceded him out. In the kitchen, she eyed t
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 63
Amy leaned against the headboard in Olivia's bedroom at the main house and stretched her legs out in front of her. "So, how many hot men in kilts did you see? Be honest."Laughing, Olivia folded a shirt from the laundry basket. "A few guys, but none you'd want to test the theory of whether they go commando under the kilt, if you know what I mean." She put the shirt away in the dresser and grabbed another. "Scotland was amazing, though. Nate looked up a few of my ancestors and we found this old cemetery where some were buried. I've always wanted to go, but I'm glad I waited to see it first with him."Considering Amy had never been outside of Wyoming, she'd be happy going anywhere. "At least you did some tourist things. Being your honeymoon and all. What a wasted trip that would've been only seeing the inside of a hotel room.""Ha. We saw plenty of that, too." Olivia winked, a flush in her pale cheeks. She brushed a strand of auburn hair from her face and set the empty basket aside. "
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 64
"He never kissed me."Amy's gaze jerked to Olivia's."Never kissed me, but he did kiss you." Olivia's brows rose. "That says something."Yeah, it said the woman he wanted was permanently out of reach, so he went after the next best thing. Amy had no doubt Nakos was attracted to her. That much was evident. But, like she'd told him, it was a physical response. Lust faded, given time. Speaking of... "I find the timing awfully convenient." Heck, for all Amy knew, this was boredom or desperation on his part."Emotions don't flip that quick, Amy. He wouldn't have made a move on you twenty-four hours after I said 'I do' if it was me on his mind. And he doesn't play games." When Amy said nothing, Olivia plowed on. "What happened afterward? You mentioned some tension."Amy puffed a laugh. There was tension and then there was t-e-n-s-i-o-n. "He walked away after the longest oh crap, what have I done in the history of mankind. Later, he tried talking to me about it, but I shut it down. Tol
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 65
Nakos had under thirty minutes to shower before meeting everyone at the tavern. Why he'd agreed to go, he hadn't a clue. The very thought of sitting across a table from Amy with her silent treatment and wounded eyes on the menu was not his ideal Saturday evening. Then again, another night in his house, sleeping in the room right next to hers, wasn't his version of a great time, either. They couldn't go on like this. He was this close to imploding.At his wit's end, he planned on forcing her to talk to him when they were alone tomorrow and both off work. He rolled his head to stretch his neck as he climbed the stairs in his cabin. As if anyone could force Amy Woods to do anything. Especially him, considering she got him tongue-tied and made his head dizzier than a carousel on heroine just standing in front of him.At least there would be alcohol involved tonight.He turned the knob on his bathroom door and halted dead over the threshold. His lungs seized, despite the perfume-scente
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 66
"Whatever." She hopped off her chair and dug her vibrating cell from her back pocket. "I don't..." Eyes on the screen, her face paled several shades and she went rigid.Olivia frowned. "What's up?""My Uncle Clint is coming for a visit." Her hand trembled as her throat worked a swallow. "Blech. When?" Olivia peered at the phone."I don't know. Kyle just texted." Amy's thumbs went to work in reply. Nakos's gut bottomed out as her complexion slipped from an insipid shade of white to green. "I don't remember you mentioning him before." More over, why would the uncle elicit this kind of reaction from her?"My mother's brother. He lives in Texas." Her voice shook almost as badly as her hands. "He doesn't come up very often. A couple times when we were kids and once when Chris and I were married. That was the only time my ex proved useful. He told my parents we wouldn't be around, that we were camping. Since Chris hates familial things, it worked for him."Olivia shuddered. "Total c
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 67
Still rattled over learning her uncle was coming for a visit, Amy hopped out of Nakos's truck and waited for him to unlock the front door to his cabin. Ever since she'd gotten the text from her brother, her stomach had been a twisted, nauseous mess. Memories she'd worked hard to overcome kept shoving to the surface. The smell of cigar breath and Old Spice. Rough hands leaving punishing bruises. Her screams muted by a palm over her mouth. The pain. The tears. The shame.She had to get herself under control before Nakos figured out something was wrong. She strode ahead of him and into the house, making a beeline for the stairs. She got over it once, she'd do it again. If she had to remind herself a million times she wasn't a weak, scared little girl anymore, then that's what she'd do. She was stronger than anything life had to dish out, proven by the fact she was still standing.Dang, but she felt like crumbling."Ames." Nakos's feet shuffled behind her and she paused on the b
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 68
"Ames, I" Whirling, she grabbed the pint from him and strode inside.He cursed and followed. "What did you mean by the ice cream would go to your...ass? What's wrong with it the way it is?"As if she'd discuss her weight problem. He of the abs and gluts and biceps wouldn't understand. Mortification knew no bounds.Keeping herself busy, she rinsed the spoon and set it in the sink, then capped the mint chip and put it in the freezer. Hands on his hips, he watched her every move. The sanctity of her bedroom in mind, she walked out of the kitchen on shaking legs and was determined to get to the stairs before he leveled her again. The footsteps trailing her said he wasn't near done with this discussion."You were right, anim."Damn it, damn it, damn it. Again, she halted on the bottom stair. Sighed. Struggled for guidance. She settled for turning to face him."This shift between us is physical. My body wants yours, and the magnetism is only getting stronger the longer we pretend
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 69
A tray balanced on his forearm, Nakos paused outside Amy's bedroom. Unless she was changing, she always left the door open, even while sleeping. He would've thought living with a man, despite having known him all her life, would make her uncomfortable not having a measure of privacy. Yet every time he passed by, it remained open. He wondered if it had something to do with her attack, if enclosed places scared her.He stared at her, asleep in bed under a mound of blankets. Only her face was uncovered, and early morning light bathed her profile. She had one hand tucked beneath her head and her dark lashes fanned her cheeks. At least when she slept the strain he often found in her expression finally eased. Peaceful, almost.A shake of his head, and he stepped deeper into the room. He'd been in the habit of calling her angel lately. The word had flown out of his mouth the first time, unbidden, as if by no control of his own. It was accurate, though. She was a take-no-prisoners, hear-me-r
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Cattenach Ranch Chapter 91: Epilogue
In the main house's kitchen, Amy flipped through the pictures she took last week, Olivia next to her at the island looking on. They had plans to take a ride up to Blind Man's Bluff as soon as Nakos was finished with the horses. It was a gorgeous Saturday, the sun bright and warm, and Amy was looking forward to enjoying it. The past couple weeks had been rough between the trips to Casper for pre-trial hearings and retelling the rape to a bunch of strangers. But her friends had been beside her the whole time, a silent show of support.Aunt Mae set her tea on the table where she'd been watching them. "So, Clint took the plea bargain.""Yeah." Amy put the photos back in the envelope. "The district attorney called yesterday. I'm shocked, actually." There was no physical evidence to credit her accusations against her uncle. They'd both taken lie detector tests, which wouldn't hold up in court, but it had given authorities something to go on. She'd passed. Her uncle had failed. And when
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 90
He was about to beg her to shut up until sunrise, just a few measly hours to give his shattered heart a reprieve, but she opened her mouth first. "Will you go with me to the police station tomorrow?" Stunned stupid, he stared unblinking."To give an official statement so they can hold my uncle on charges. Nate said he'd be there the whole time, but I want you with me, too. Please?""Yes." Was she kidding? "Of course, I'll go with you." He always knew she was brave, fearless, but he'd underestimated her level of courage. And damn, he was buying the whole auto lot out of motorcycles for Nate. Seriously, no lie. "I'm debating whether we should have us surgically joined. It might be my only peace of mind."She laughed, and nothing sounded sweeter. "How about I promise to love you forever instead? Less awkward than going under the knife and we wouldn't have to get insurance involved."In answer, he sealed his lips to hers, sank deep with a slow glide until he was under the influence
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 89
With violently shaking hands, Nakos held the gorgeous face he feared he'd never see again and kissed her with all the pent up, avid torment he'd had gutting him for hours. When that wasn't enough, he kissed her eyes, her forehead, her cheeks, and pressed against her, trapping her to the door."Hihcebe, I was scared to death." Unimaginable things had scowered his mind. All the scenarios she might've been in. Or done. After revealing such a horrible memory, he had no clue where her head was at, what she might do in the wake. His ribcage had been pried open by steel claws and his insides shredded until there was nothing left. For. Hours. "Scared to goddamn death, anim."He'd barked orders at the men. Had ridden on horseback to every place he could conceive she may have gone. Stood helpless in the rain, searching, searching. Each second had been an eternity. And then Nate had radioed she was all right. But Nakos hadn't seen with his own eyes, touched with his own hands to gain proof. So
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 88
He squeezed her fingers. "Victim doesn't equal weak. Regardless of what you decide, remember that much. You are ten times stronger than he is, and he'll never touch you again. You have my word." He suddenly looked a little distressed at her new stream of leaking tears. His eyes widened and his brow furrowed. "Or I could just kill him. Nakos told me once he knew where to hide a body so it'll never be found. Of course, he was threatening me at the time."Laughing, she dropped her head on his shoulder. "I'll think about it. The pressing charges part, not murder.""Open offer."She laughed again, then sighed as they slipped into a comfortable silence. Animals scurried in the night and leaves crackled. She breathed in heavy humidity, the scent of wet grass and fertile soil, feeling calmer. A damp, rain-tinged quality hung in the air, and it had a strangely cleansing effect. Or maybe it was the company."You're a good guy, Nate.""Didn't used to think so, but I'm a work in progress." He
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 87
Drenched, shivering, Amy huddled in the corner of Olivia's old tree house and tried to breathe. She hadn't been able to take the emotional assault and just needed to get away. Fast. The frenetic panic had almost been worse than the fear. After Nakos had stalked out of the barn, she'd gone the long way around so no one spotted her and had stumbled onto their old stomping grounds by accident. A brief storm had come through, but the tree house had no roof, thus she'd been caught in the worst of the rain. From her perch on the northern side of the main house, she could barely make out the dim glow of lights since there was enough distance to give the illusion of privacy. The small structure was built high in an oak and was roughly seven feet long at most. Old pine boards were scarred, a tad musty, but sturdy. Branches formed a canopy overhead, stars and a sliver of moonlight peeking through the leaves. She hadn't been in here since she was a kid, had forgotten all about it.It had see
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 86
Roaring, he held her head in his shaking hands and slammed his eyes shut. Awful, tormenting visions cut through his mind, sliced like a blade. Shredded. Releasing her, he stumbled back, clutched his stomach.Ragewhite hot, sadistic ragewhipped through him. Lashed. Violent in the intensity, it surged as if summoned by the very bowels of hell. Blood boiled and pressure built in his skull, rammed his temples. Someone, that thing out there, had dared to hurt his Amy. His beautiful, courageous angel. A growl tore his throat, and he pivoted. Stormed out of the barn. A quick glance around, and he found her parents, Kyle, Nate, Olivia, and the soon-to-be dead man in the same spot as moments ago. He was going to kill him. Several times. Limb from goddamn limb, he'd tear him to pieces.Marching up to the group, Nakos zeroed in on the bastard. He had a blip of a second to make out a brown comb-over and fat paunch through a red haze of wrath before he shoved his forearm into the guy's collarb
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 85
Leaning against the barn's open carriage doors, Nate crossed his arms. "Things seem to be going well with Amy. Why do you look irritated?"Nakos gave a last pat for Midnight, their three-year-old stallion, and closed the stall. Unsure how to answer, he searched the expanse behind the ex-soldier as if the land might provide answers. A front was rolling in, the sky to the west black with ominous clouds. Static charged the humid air and smelled like rain. They'd called it a day just in time to avoid nature's wrath. Nothing sounded better than sinking into Amy's warm body in front of a fire while a storm raged outside.Except... "She's holding back. From me, from..." He lifted his hand, let it slap his thigh as he dropped it. Frustration pounded his temples. "I don't know. She's stopped fighting me, so there's that. But she's got something in that head of hers keeping her from fully engaging. I wish to hell I knew what. She looks at me like she's gearing her courage to tell me, then cl
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 84
It seemed silly to get worked up over something so mundane as his behavior when sick. Yet she could no more control her reaction than she could deny him what he wanted. Here he was, feverish and achy, but he still thought of her. Saying nice things, needing her close. He was half-buried in a mind fog, and his first instincts were to cuddle with her, not bark orders or push her away. It cemented her experiences with him as legit, proving he wasn't only saying or doing what he'd thought he should.They laid in bed all day and evening. In the early afternoon, he'd managed to rouse long enough to eat half a bowl of soup, and sometime around midnight, his fever had broken. He woke up Tuesday morning with the sun, only mildly sluggish for the encounter, and Amy was grateful he was better.On Wednesday, after they were done with work, he wanted to test out the new horse he and Olivia had acquired, and asked Amy to go for a ride. With her on Pirate, a two-year-old gelding, and him on the new
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 83
Just before dawn, Amy slipped out of Nakos's bed and snatched her clothes off the floor. She padded across the hall to her room, changed, and headed downstairs to start coffee. He'd wake up soon for work, but she needed a few minutes to herself.The past weekend ping-ponged around in her skull as she measured dark roast and filled a carafe of water. Their lovemaking? It may have started off as sex, two bodies coming together in mutual need, but it hadn't finished that way. He'd taken her like a man who'd come unraveled, and she was the only one holding the frayed end to maintain his sanity. Thenoh, thenafter they'd had dinner, he'd gone slower, worshiping her body like he had something to prove. He'd put the beast back in the cage. Not only had she orgasmed, many times, he'd made the experience all about her. Holding her afterward. Cooing phrases and stroking her hair with endearing tenderness.And telling her he loved her.God, the L-bomb. Her throat seized remembering. She and Oli
